San Francisco

Travel Guide

San Francisco
San Francisco
San Francisco featuring heritage architecture and a city
San Francisco
San Francisco

San Francisco Travel Guide Video

The city with a beautiful bay, famous red bridge and infamous fog welcomes you to enjoy art, history, shopping and outdoor activities.

San Francisco is simultaneously romantic, exciting, relaxing and intriguing. Rent a bike, walk, ride the trolley or drive to fascinating destinations. Tour San Francisco Bay by boat for unique views from beneath Golden Gate Bridge. Stop at Alcatraz Island its former inescapable prison became famous in the film Birdman of Alcatraz.

At the bridge’s southern end is the Presidio, a former military base, now a large park with hiking trails, great bridge and shoreline views, Andy Goldsworthy sculptures, Baker Beach, the Walt Disney Family Museum and a life-size Yoda statue.

Entering the Marina District, attend a performance at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Travel east to the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood for shopping and dining. Enjoy a chocolate sundae at Ghirardelli, a local favorite for over 150 years. Visit the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park to see ships that sailed more than a century ago. Watch sea lions lounging on rafts near Pier 39. Continue on to the Embarcadero District. The Exploratorium at Pier 15 features interactive exhibits intertwining science, art and human perception. See the Giants play football at AT&T Park in South Beach.

Inland, shop at Union Square, drive down the very crooked Lombard Street and photograph the Painted Ladies Victorian row houses. Stand at the Haight-Ashbury corner, in the neighborhood where hippie counterculture developed in the 1960s.

Enter the Golden Gate Park to visit de Young Museum, filled with art, costumes and textiles. Explore botanical gardens, play golf or tennis, photograph the Japanese Tea Garden and wade in the Pacific Ocean.

Travel north to tall redwoods in Muir Woods, wineries in Napa and Sonoma and quaint shops in Sausalito. On a foggy day, stand atop Vista Point in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at the bridge’s northern end and gaze south across the clouds to see Sutro Tower rising from Twin Peaks, with the rest of the city hidden. When the fog clears, San Francisco’s skyline is a gleaming gem at the end of the golden bridge.

Where to stay in San Francisco

Fisherman\'s Wharf featuring a bay or harbor

Fisherman's Wharf

4/5(6 area reviews)

Discover Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in this bustling tourist hotspot. Savor seafood at family-owned restaurants and explore the sea lion colony, while enjoying convenient cable car access.

Fisherman's Wharf
Union Square which includes a high rise building and a city

Union Square

4/5(525 area reviews)

Major tourist destination in downtown San Francisco, Union Square boasts shopping, hotels, and theaters. Explore department stores, boutiques, and galleries, or catch a performance at various theaters. Enjoy the Dewey Monument and stunning views from nearby hotels. Easily accessible via cable car lines, buses, and subway systems.

Union Square
Downtown San Francisco featuring railway items

Downtown San Francisco

2.5/5(84 area reviews)

Serving as San Francisco's central business district, this area boasts Northern California's two tallest buildings, the Salesforce Tower and Transamerica Pyramid. Explore shopping malls like the Embarcadero Center and enjoy parks such as Sue Biermann Park, all easily accessible via Muni bus and rail lines.

Downtown San Francisco
South of Market featuring skyline, a city and city views

South of Market

3.5/5(292 area reviews)

Oracle Park and Chase Center are top sights in South of Market, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Yerba Buena-Moscone Station or Fourth-Brannan Station to see more sights in the area.

South of Market
Nob Hill showing a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Luxury hotels, historic mansions, and Michelin-starred restaurants abound in this upscale area. Explore Union Square shopping district, Grace Cathedral, and the SF Masonic Auditorium for a taste of culture and history.

Nob Hill
Mission District which includes outdoor art

Mission District

4/5(5 area reviews)

Mission District is a destination travelers like for its bars, and you might hop aboard the metro at 16th Street Mission Station or 24th Street Mission Station to explore sights like San Francisco Public Library.

Mission District
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $174 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
CA $174
CA $205 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,258 reviews)
A total surprise
"I enjoyed my stay, but was shocked when I checked in, I was not assigned the room with two beds I had requested initially. On top of that, I was asked for a deposit of five hundred dollars."

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $177 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
CA $177
CA $264 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,530 reviews)
"Staff were friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on Jul. 11, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $233 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
CA $233
CA $337 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,730 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Kasa The Addison San Francisco
Kasa The Addison San Francisco
4 out of 5
2263 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, memory foam beds, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Lombard Street and Pier 39 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (9 reviews)
Great amenities and good location
"The location is great, but very expensive. We like having a kitchen and laundry facility. There is no fan provided, so be prepared in warmer months. The bathroom door is frosted glass and does not reach the ceiling."

Reviewed on Apr. 26, 2025

Kasa The Addison San Francisco
Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom
Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom
San Francisco
Stay at this guesthouse in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Lombard Street and Oracle Park are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (32 reviews)
Great Value for the City!
"We stayed one night here since we needed to be close to the airport for our ladt night.Centrally located and short walk to China Town and Fishermans Wharf. Cool artwork in the room plus the overall accommodation definitely give a NYC vibe - definitely recommend!"

Reviewed on Jun. 30, 2025

Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom
BRAND NEW - ENTIRE FLOOR w/ OCEAN Beach View and PARKING!
BRAND NEW - ENTIRE FLOOR w/ OCEAN Beach View and PARKING!
San Francisco
Stay at this apartment in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Golden Gate Park and Presidio of San Francisco are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
Great host and experience!
"Ada was an excellent host! She made checking in and out extremely easy. She was friendly and communicated in a timely manner in the app and gave excellent recommendations for us to explore and try. The unit was perfect for our trip!"

Reviewed on Jul. 4, 2025

BRAND NEW - ENTIRE FLOOR w/ OCEAN Beach View and PARKING!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of San Francisco

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
579
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
461
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
91
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
17
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The number of amazing sights and restaurants makes SF a must go to. The people and the culture make this place great Yes, there is a heavy homeless population. But many keep to themselves or their group and don’t bother you.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I really liked it there, the friendliness of the people and the sight seeing. There is no shortage of things to do and I particularly liked a rock concert I went to at a nearby theater.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Our favourite city: people, food, things to so, climate and overall vibe. We love it!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place! Lots to do

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

San Francisco is great city when you know which areas to avoid. It can quickly get uncomfortable with the amount of homeless people, however, it's a beautiful city otherwise and lots of great places to go and see.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice

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